Smiles Childcare Ltd

Inspection of Smiles Childcare Ltd Astwood Bank First School, Church Road, Astwood Bank, Redditch B96 6EH

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This provision meets requirements

Staff collect children from their classrooms at the end of the school day. They supervise the children well as they escort them to the club. Children happily chat to the staff talking about their school day. They confidently enter the club and show they are familiar with the routines as they hang up their bags and belongings without being prompted. Children wash their hands before sitting at the table ready for their afternoon snack. Staff praise children for their good behaviour as they wait their turn to serve their own food from the platter.

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This provision meets requirements

Staff set up a wide range of activities for children to choose from. These are based on their current interests. Children enjoy joining in with a scavenger hunt around the school playing fields. They collect items as they go and bring these back to the club to make a bug house. Older children play cooperatively with younger children as they use the play dough to create different shapes and creations. Children spend time engaged in arts and crafts. They proudly approach staff to share the pictures they have created.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff are committed to providing a safe and happy club where children can relax and have fun after a busy day at school. Children eagerly share their thoughts and feelings about the club with visitors. They express how much they enjoy attending and say that 'staff are like friends.' n Staff adapt the activities on offer to suit the individual needs of the children attending. They regularly engage with younger children to make sure they are happy and settled. Staff offer children support should they choose to sit at the 'homework table' to complete some work. They sit in the book corner with children and read favourite stories to children. n Leaders and staff have established good partnerships with the host school. This helps them to provide a complementary approach to their care and learning experiences. Staff share important information with the school and any messages from teachers are passed on to parents. This ensures that children's

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need to do better?

needs are met. n An effective key-person system has been implemented for the youngest children. Staff take time to get to know children and their families when they first join the club. They complete an 'All about me' form to gather information about children's likes and interest. They then use this to plan for children's individual needs. n Leaders support the staff team well. They identify future training needs through regular supervision and observations of staff's practice. Staff say that they feel valued and benefit from ongoing training and support. This helps to build upon

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need to do better?

24 June 2025 staff's already good knowledge and skills. n Staff offer children frequent praise and encouragement. This helps to reinforce the expectations for children's behaviour. Children explain to visitors that the staff are here to help should they have any conflict with others. As a result, children's behaviour is exceptional. n Children's good health is promoted well at the club. Staff remind the children of the importance of washing their hands before snack times. They talk to the children about the importance of staying hydrated in the warm weather and offer to refill children's water bottles. Children have opportunities to be physically active on the school's playing fields. n Staff supervise children well to ensure their safety. Children wear high-visibility jackets when being lead from the school to the club and when playing outside on the school fields. Staff ensure that the setting is safe and secure. They are

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need to do better?

vigilant at collection time and ensure that children are only collected by persons allowed to do so. n Parents speak exceptionally highly of the club. They express how much their children enjoy attending. Parents value how staff share information with them so that they know what children have been doing at the club and during the school day. Parents are confident that their children are happy, safe and well cared for when attending the club.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY550679 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10399658 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Out-of-school day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person Smiles Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01527892712 Date of previous inspection 10 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Smiles Childcare Ltd registered in 2017. It operates from Astwood Bank First School in Redditch. The club employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The club opens from 7.30am until 9am and from 3pm until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the club. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector viewed documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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Inspection activities

24 June 2025 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

24 June 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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